The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

5 Payette Celebrates 20 Years in Business Z one Chief Started Under The Late H. M. Crandall John J. Payette, Warners zone chief, celebrated an anniversary this week. Twenty years ago he was appointed assistant manager, Metropolitan, Washington. Today, as general zone manager of Warner Brothers’ theatres in the Washington territory, he has charge of the Metropolitan, Earle, in downtown Washington, in addition to the large number of neighborhood theatres in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Then, in line with the policy now employed at the Warner theatres — to promote from the ranks — Payette remained as assistant at the Metropolitan exactly three weeks. He then became manager of the Metropolitan, not only booking the pictures for the theatre, but also staging the prologues which became very well known to local audiences. Within nine months Payette was promoted to assistant circuit manager of Harry M. Crandall’s theatres in Washington. When these merged with the Stanley Company, he was made supervisor of theatres. Later when the Stanley Company was acquired by Warner Brothers, he was made general zone manager. Seaford Will Have Three Heavy competition is anticipated by the trade in Seaford, Delaware, as the result of two new theatre operations being announced there last fortnight. Announcement was made the other day that two theatres, involving a total capital expenditure of approximately $200,000, would be built during the current boom which accompanies the building of the $10,000,000 nylon plant of the DuPont Company. Thomas E. Ayres, nyinager-owner, Palace, announced he would erect a modern theatre at High and Arcadia Streets. At the same time, it was announced that the Schines would build a theatre on the corner opposite the Ayers site. When completed it will give Seaford three modern theatres. Tom Reed Elected Local No. 224 Head "Bill” Holtz Continues .As Business Agent Thomas A. Reed, Loew’s Palace, Washington, was elected president of the IATSE, Local 224, it was announced recently. Also elected were George E. Booth, Central, first vice-president; Gilbert C. Kilton, Metropolitan, second vice-president; f rank R. Baker, Trans-Lux, secretary; T. L. Hopkins, Tivoli, financial secretary; Fred J. Stevens, Metropolitan, treasurer; Emil ("Bill”) Holz, Columbia, business representative; George C. McConnell, Penn, executive board; DeForrest L. Ormes, Tivoli, executive board; George B. Smith, Central, guide; Roy M. Wise, Central, guardian. Board of trustees members are John Spellbring, Leader; James Hamilton, Uptown; Malcolm E. Sparrough, Ambassador. Ornoff Building in Norfolk Kopeland Ornoff, Norfolk, Virginia, announced in Washington last week he would build a new theatre on Church Street, in that city. For colored patrons, the new house will seat about 400, named Lenox, managed by Ornoff himself. He said he is at present studying tentative plans for the theatre. House will be a second-run. Morris Ornoff, is at present connected with Jeff Hofheimer, Norfolk, wellknown theatre man. Brother Kopeland was formerly connected with Hofheimer. It was stated the corporation will also include Robert Ornoff, son of Morris, who will act as assistant manager. Baltimore Standee Bill Up Several amendments were offered last fortnight to the ordinance before the Baltimore, Maryland, City Council to allow moving picture theatres and baseball parks to admit patrons before the 2 o’clock performance starting time so that they may be protected from inclement weather. Delaware Exhibitors Facing Four Measures Rinard Sunday Bill Last Introduced Deadline for new bills in the Delaware legislature at Dover last fortnight brought out a new Sunday movie bill introduced by Senator Paul R. Rinard, father of another bill — the anti-preview bill. F Rinard s Sunday bill would seem to divide Wilmington against the rest of the state, for it would provide for movies after 2 P. M. on the Sabbath in incorporated cities of over 2f,000 if favored by a referendum. Therefore, the theatre interests goes to bat in the halls of the lawmakers with four bills out of a total of 761 introduced, the two Sunday bills, the Pepper ccnsoiship bill and the Rinard anti-trailer measure. The Rinard bill, introduced the day before the closing of doors to new measures, is as follows, in part: Section ]. That Chapter 15 3 of the Revised Code of Deleware, be and the same is hereby amended by inserting a new section after 5253, Section 4, to be known as 52 5 3 A, Section 4A: 52 53 A. Section 4A. That motion pictures may be shown on Sunday after two o’clock P. M. in incorporated cities having a population of more than 2 5,000, provided, however, that the provisions of this Act shall not become effective unless ratified by the voters of any incorporated city at the next regular city election held after the passage of this Act. Pepper bill, which would make the juvenile court a censorship board to pass on films about which questions are raised, includes a paragraph, probably unintentionally expressed, which could be used to bar any youth under 18 years of age from the movies. Following the introduction, shortly before the new bills’ time limit, of a Sunday movie bill which would provide for a referendum only in Delaware cities of over 2 ROOO by Senator Rinard, the bill introduced in the Delaware General Assembly at Dover by Representative Henry M. Canby, Wilmington, was removed from the calendar. by Ross-Federal John A. ("Jack”) Kraker, for some years associated with the Ross-Federal Service, in Philadelphia last week was elevated to the post of manager of the district comprising Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington. He makes his headquarters in Philadelphia. Colonel Cole in Baltimore Colonel H. A. Cole, president of Allied States Association, met with the MPTO of Maryland March 9 while on a tour of eastern Allied units. March 15, 1959 NAT